2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX, available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, along with a hybrid RX 450h model, maintained a modern and sporty design following its 2020 facelift. The RX 350 and F Sport offered seating for five, while the L trim provided a three-row, 7-passenger option. Competing in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by razor-sharp character lines and angular features reminiscent of a boomerang. The F Sport trim, the most athletic in appearance, featured 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX's cabin exuded luxury, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its proper proportions and chiseled styling, conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. Available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, the Rogue's design was appealing, crucial for attracting buyers. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium package, featured AWD, two-tone paint, and a host of upscale upgrades, including diamond-pattern leather seats. The Rogue's interior offered comfort and quality, with soft-touch surfaces and a straightforward layout. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, and the key fob design was frustratingly unthoughtful. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue's practicality and family-friendly features made it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, offering a smooth ride and isolated road noise. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a CVT, the Rogue offered FWD as standard, with AWD available. The VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The engine's unusual note and vibration might not appeal to all drivers. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads. Overall, the Rogue offered a secure handling character, despite lifeless steering.

The 2022 Lexus RX, in its standard two-row configuration, offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably accommodating four adults. The front seats provided 39.4 inches of headroom and 44.1 inches of legroom, while the rear offered 39.1 inches of headroom and 38.0 inches of legroom. The three-row L models, sharing the same wheelbase, had limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet available with all seats upright. The RX's cargo area expanded to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down, though the seats did not fold completely flat. Thoughtful interior features included a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family car replacement, comfortably seating four adults with room for a fifth. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim, featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seat designs provided comfort, though the rear seat lacked leg support. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, facilitating easy access. Cargo space was generous, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations, though storage areas were unlined, potentially causing noise.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreens were ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip obstructing access to icons. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration. However, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The Lexus App provided remote engine start and vehicle settings personalization.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023, though its functionality was limited. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. Despite the outdated system, the Rogue's infotainment offered a decent range of features.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it missed the "plus" designation due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue's safety systems included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist worked well on highways, though braking could be abrupt. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating.